Visible Detections of Gravitational Wave Sources

The start of multi-messenger astronomy

ESO’s fleet of telescopes in Chile have detected and studied the first visible counterpart to a gravitational wave source. This historic observation suggests that astronomers are seeing the result of the merger of two neutron stars. The cataclysmic aftermaths of this kind of merger — long-predicted events called kilonovae — disperse heavy elements such as gold and platinum throughout the Universe. This discovery also provides the strongest evidence yet that short-duration gamma-ray bursts are caused by mergers of neutron stars.

For the first time ever, astronomers have observed both gravitational waves and light (electromagnetic radiation) from the same event, thanks to a global collaborative effort and the quick reactions of both ESO’s facilities and others around the world.

These observations mark the start of "multi-messenger" astronomy. See ESO Science Release eso1733.

"There are rare occasions when a scientist has the chance to witness a new era at its beginning,” said Elena Pian, astronomer with INAF, Italy, and lead author of one of the Nature papers. “This is one such time!"